The Latvian parliament has officially passed the National Defence Service Law. This means in summer 2023 the country will be holding the first voluntary military enlistment procedure.
The law dictates that Latvian citizens – men – of the age of 18 years are required to undergo military service for one year. A citizen who continues studying after reaching the age of 18, except for higher education, will have to undergo military training within one year after graduating.
If a citizen continues undergoing education after reaching the age of 18 years, except higher education, and does not graduate before reaching the age of 24 years, he will be required to undergo military service the next year after reaching the age of 24 years.
Latvian citizens – men and women – between the ages of 18 and 27 will have the option for voluntary military service.
Military service will be available in one of the following options: 11 months in National Armed Forces of National Guard; five years in total in the National Guard, performing tasks for no less than 21 individual days and no more than seven collective training days every year.
Additionally, citizens will have the opinion to undergo reserve officer training at an education institution and National Armed Forces, with total education and service terms not dropping below 180 days.
Individuals required to undergo military service, but are unable to serve in the army because of personal opinions, religious reasons or political views, will be allowed to undergo alternative service.
Alternative service involves 11 months serving at an institutions subordinated to the Ministry of Defence.
A citizen who is studying to become a doctor, assistant doctor or nurse will be able to pick one of the provided national defence service options regardless of priorities of Latvia’s National Armed Forces. Considering students’ professional and academic skills, they will be able to work in posts related to their chosen fields.
The first recruitment wave is planned to be voluntary. Citizens in Latvia have the right to sign up for military service by the 1st of May. Persons who sign up for military service will start on the 1st of July.
Recruits will have the right to receive a compensation for the duration of their service. Troops who sign up for military service voluntarily will have the right to receive an increased compensation amount.
The Cabinet of Ministers will determine the size of the compensation and its payment. The compensation will not be subject to deduction of debts.
At the end of their 11-month service, voluntary troops will be paid an additional compensation of EUR 1 100 regardless if they decide to stay in the army or go in reserve.
Troops’ social guarantees for the duration of their service will be expanded, providing their children the rights to be signed up for kindergarten out of turn.
VAD law also lists an administrative penalty for failure to arrive to summons from the Ministry of Defence on time without a justifiable reason. The penalty is a warning or a fine of EUR 350.
If a citizen continues ignoring summons for inspection, the law permits application of repeated penalties.
The parliament still has to pass accompanying legislative drafts.
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